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Sen. Elissa Slotkin Says Threats Won't Silence Her After Being Branded 'Seditious'

Sen. Elissa Slotkin says threats followed after former President Trump labeled her and five other veteran Democratic lawmakers "seditious" for urging service members and intelligence personnel to refuse illegal orders. Slotkin, a former CIA analyst who served three tours in Iraq, told Martha Raddatz the threats have changed their security situation but will not silence her. She said the joint statement responded to young officers seeking guidance and accused Trump of using fear tactics and distraction.

06:25 AM, 11/24/2025Politics

Sen. Elissa Slotkin says she has received threats since being labeled "seditious" by former President Donald Trump, but she insisted she will not back down from urging service members and intelligence personnel to refuse unlawful orders.

Slotkin (D-Mich.) was one of six Democratic lawmakers — all military veterans — who issued a joint statement last week asserting that members of the military and intelligence community have an obligation to refuse "illegal orders." The other signers were Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Rep. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.).

Speaking in an interview with Martha Raddatz, Slotkin, a former CIA analyst who served three tours in Iraq, said the threats do not deter her from speaking out. "I've been through dangerous situations before, so it doesn't change my feeling about speaking my mind," she said. She added that the president seized on one sentence from their video and accused them of conduct she described as inappropriate and inflammatory.

"SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!" — a post attributed to Donald Trump that targeted the lawmakers.

Slotkin said the president's rhetoric has had immediate, tangible consequences. "Almost immediately, the security situation changed for all of us," she said, noting that leadership tone is set from the top.

She emphasized the veterans' statement was a response to direct concerns from service members rather than a theoretical exercise. "Young officers have been coming to us and saying, 'I just am not sure. What do I do?'" she said, adding that the statement was intended to provide guidance for those facing unclear or unlawful directives.

Slotkin also accused Trump of using the Justice Department as "a tool of fear" to silence critics and suggested his attacks were a distraction from other major stories, including recent developments related to Jeffrey Epstein’s files and economic news.

Despite the threats and heightened security concerns, Slotkin said she and the other signers will continue to advise service members and speak publicly about the legal and ethical responsibilities of the military and intelligence communities.

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